Use of augmented and virtual reality in resuscitation training: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), compared with other instructional methods, for basic and advanced life support training.

METHODS: This systematic review was part of the continuous evidence evaluation process of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and reported based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023376751). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were searched from inception to January 16, 2024. We included all published studies comparing virtual or augmented reality to other methods of resuscitation training evaluating knowledge acquisition and retention, skills acquisition and retention, skill performance in real resuscitation, willingness to help, bystander CPR rate, and patients' survival.

RESULTS: Our initial literature search identified 1807 citations. After removing duplicates, reviewing the titles and abstracts of the remaining 1301 articles, full text review of 74 articles and searching references lists of relevant articles, 19 studies were identified for analysis. AR was used in 4 studies to provide real-time feedback during CPR, demonstrating improved CPR performance compared to groups trained with no feedback, but no difference when compared to other sources of CPR feedback. VR use in resuscitation training was explored in 15 studies, with the majority of studies that assessed CPR skills favoring other interventions over VR, or showing no difference between groups.

CONCLUSION: Augmented and virtual reality can be used to support resuscitation training of lay people and healthcare professionals, however current evidence does not clearly demonstrate a consistent benefit when compared to other methods of training.